Application study of 3D LAVA-Flex on lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration

Tiefang Liu,Meng Li,Zhengyang Xu,Xiao Zang,Yonghao Wang,Tao Wu,Jinfeng Li

doi:10.1186/s40001-021-00512-y

Tiefang Liu, Meng Li + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-021-00512-y

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Abstract

BackgroundDegeneration of the intervertebral discs are very common diseases, indicating the specific or malignant changes in intervertebral disc component, structure and function. Imaging examination is currently used to evaluate the severity of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. This study was designed to investigate the diagnostic value of 3D LAVA-Flex in lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.Material and methodsSagittal 3D LAVA-Flex and T2WI scans were performed in 45 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. On T2WI, the degenerated intervertebral disc in every patient was evaluated using Pfirrmann grade. Then, the patients were re-evaluated using 3D LAVA-Flex with considerations of the distinction of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus, hypointense signal of intervertebral disc and height of intervertebral disc. The evaluation results were compared between 3D LAVA-Flex and T2WI. Virtual endoscopy was also performed to evaluate the degenerated intervertebral disc.ResultsThe intermediate–intense signal of nucleus pulposus and complete ring-shaped hyperintense signal of annulus fibrosus were found and the distinction of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus was clear in the normal intervertebral disc on 3D LAVA-Flex. The incidence of linear hypointensity of narrowed intervertebral space (65/91) was higher than that of normal intervertebral space (4/134) (P = 0.000). A good consistency was shown between the LAVA-Flex grade and T2WI-based Pfirrmann grade. Virtual endoscopy based on 3D LAVA-Flex could help clearly show the anatomic relationship between the degenerated disc and intervertebral foramen.Conclusions3D LAVA-Flex and T2WI show similar efficacy in evaluating lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. 3D LAVA-Flex-based virtual endoscopy possesses great potential in the study of intervertebral disc abnormalities.

Highlights

Degeneration of the intervertebral discs are very common diseases, indicating the specific or malignant changes in intervertebral disc component, structure and function
The intermediate–intense signal of nucleus pulposus and complete ring-shaped hyperintense signal of annulus fibrosus were found and the distinction of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus was clear in the normal intervertebral disc on 3D liver acquisition volume acceleration (LAVA)-Flex
Virtual endoscopy based on 3D LAVA-Flex could help clearly show the anatomic relationship between the degenerated disc and intervertebral foramen

Summary

Introduction

Degeneration of the intervertebral discs are very common diseases, indicating the specific or malignant changes in intervertebral disc component, structure and function. Imaging examination is currently used to evaluate the severity of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. Degeneration and prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc and stenosis of lumbar intervertebral foramen are very common diseases [1]. The severity of these disorders is associated with many factors. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lumbar intervertebral disc and spine diseases and is of important clinical value for evaluating the severity of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration and spinal stenosis [4, 5]. The advance in computational neuroimaging techniques, for example the recently emerging three-dimensional liver imaging with volume acceleration-flexible (3D LAVAFlex), virtual endoscopy, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), provides a possibility for precise quantitative evaluation of intervertebral disc degeneration and nerve root compression using region of interest-based analysis approaches [6, 7]

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